Optimised targeted analysis

ABSTRACT

A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: a) providing temporally separated precursor ions; b) mass analyzing separated precursor ions, and/or product ions derived therefrom, during a plurality of sequential acquisition periods, wherein the value of an operational parameter of the spectrometer is varied during the different acquisition periods; c) storing the spectral data obtained in each acquisition period along with its respective value of the operational parameter; d) interrogating the stored spectral data and determining which of the spectral data for a precursor ion or product ions meets a predetermined criterion, and determining the value of the operational parameter that provides this mass spectral data as a target operational parameter value; and e) mass analyzing again the precursor or product ions whilst the operational parameter is set to the target operational parameter value.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/519,747, filed on Nov. 5, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/604,538, filed on Oct. 10, 2019, now U.S.Pat. No. 11,201,043, which is a U. S. National Phase filing claiming thebenefit of and priority to International Patent Application No.PCT/GB2018/050968, filed on Apr. 11, 2018, which claims priority fromand the benefit of United Kingdom Patent Application No. 1705908.0,filed on Apr. 12, 2017. The entire contents of these applications areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to mass spectrometers and inparticular to methods and spectrometers that optimise the analysis ofselected species.

BACKGROUND

In targeted analysis, a method development stage is performed and thenan analysis stage is subsequently performed on a target species. In themethod development stage, where reference standards may be used, it isknown to infuse or loop-inject solutions of reference standards and tothen analyse the standards under a range of different mass spectrometerconditions to determine the optimum settings of the spectrometer forboth precursor and product ions. The choice of suitable product ions tobe monitored for may also be determined during this method developmentstage. This can be time consuming and does not produce information aboutchromatographic retention time for each target, which must besubsequently determined during a chromatographic separation.

In a data dependent acquisition (DDA), spectra acquired under a firstoperational state of the spectrometer are interrogated, during anacquisition, and the instrument is then periodically switched into oneor more different operational state based on the information withinthese spectra. One example of a DDA application is a discoveryproteomics application, in which peptides from an enzymatic digest ofproteins are analysed by MS-MS and the resulting product ion spectra areused to identify which proteins are present based on a database search.In this application, low collision energy precursor spectra (i.e. MSspectra) are interrogated to determine one or more target precursor ionfor analysis in a subsequent MS-MS mode. Once the target precursorion(s) is determined the instrument is switched to the MS-MS mode, inwhich a quadrupole mass filter is set to mass selectively transmit onlyions having the mass to charge ratio of the target precursor ion. Theseions are then dissociated in a collision or reaction cell and theresulting ions mass analysed so as to record the product ion spectra.Once sufficient MS-MS data has been recorded, the system is switchedback to MS mode. Quadrupole Time-of-Flight mass spectrometers (Q-ToF)are one type of system commonly used in this application.

However, in this type of discovery DDA experiment, no reference standardcompounds are available. As there may potentially be many thousands ofprecursor ions present, this presents a challenge in efficientlydetermining the optimum collision energy for each of the precursor ions.During this type of DDA application, in the MS-MS mode it is known toscan the collision energy over a suitable range so as to produce MS-MSspectra that are then averaged over the collision energy range. Thecollision energy range may be determined by factors such as the mass tocharge ratio and/or charge state of the precursor ion selected.

After interrogating the MS-MS data in a post-processing step, a list oftarget m/z values is generated for subsequent targeted quantitativeanalysis. In this application, the protein identifications determined inthe DDA experiment are quantified in a subsequent sample by monitoringthe relative intensity of characteristic peptide products and/orprecursors in a targeted multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) analysis.The collision energy used to produce the target product ions is scannedover a predetermined range while the targeted MS-MS data is acquired, soas to ensure a reasonable level of fragmentation. However, this resultsin the sensitivity during targeted quantification being compromised.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a method of mass spectrometry comprising:

-   -   a) chromatographically separating compounds in an analytical        sample and ionising the eluting sample and/or separating        precursor ions, so as to provide temporally separated precursor        ions;    -   b) mass analyzing each of the separated precursor ions, and/or        product ions derived therefrom, during a plurality of sequential        acquisition periods so as to obtain mass spectral data, wherein        the value of one or more operational parameter of the        spectrometer is varied such that it has different values during        the different acquisition periods, and wherein the spectral data        obtained for a given ion varies depending on the value of said        operational parameter;    -   c) storing the spectral data obtained in each acquisition period        along with its respective value of said one or more operational        parameter used in obtaining the data;    -   d) interrogating the stored spectral data for at least one of        the precursor ions, or the product ions derived therefrom, and        determining which of the spectral data for that precursor ion or        for at least one of its product ions meets a predetermined        criterion, and determining the value of each of said one or more        operational parameter that provides this mass spectral data as a        target operational parameter value; and    -   e) mass analyzing again said at least one of the precursor ions,        or product ions derived therefrom, wherein during this analysis        the value of said one or more operational parameter is set to        its respective target operational parameter value for said at        least one precursor ion, or said at least one of its product        ions.

The spectral data considered to meet said predetermined criterion may bethe spectral data for the precursor ion, or for at least one of itsproduct ions, that has the greatest intensity or signal to noise ratio.

Although the predetermined criterion has been described as being basedon the greatest signal intensity or signal to noise ratio, it may bebased on one or more other desirable criteria.

The step of chromatographically separating the compounds may compriseseparating the sample by liquid chromatography or separating theprecursor ions by ion mobility or mass to charge ratio.

The precursor ions may be fragmented or reacted prior to step b) aboveand step b) may comprise mass analysing the resulting product ions.

Step d) above may comprise interrogating the spectral data for aplurality of product ions of a precursor ion, determining which of theproduct ions has mass spectral data meeting the predetermined criterion,and determining the value of each of said one or more operationalparameter that provides said this mass spectral data as said targetvalue.

The one or more operational parameter may comprise the fragmentation orreaction energy or rate with which the precursor ions are fragmented orreacted to produce the product ions; or the length of time that theprecursor ions are subjected to fragmentation of reaction conditionswith a reactant.

The one or more operational parameter may be one or more of: a potentialdifference used to accelerate the ions; a collision energy with whichthe ions are caused to collide with a gas or surface; a sourceionisation efficiency or sensitivity or ionisation energy; anoperational parameter of an ion mobility filter, such as compensationvoltage in a differential ion mobility filter; a gas pressure or gascomposition; a setting of an electrostatic or RF device acting on theions, such as a tuning parameter; an ion attenuation level; an electronmultiplier setting; a mass filter resolution setting such as for optimumsignal to noise ratio or sensitivity; or an ion trapping time.

Steps b) to e) above may be performed for at least some or all of theprecursor ions.

The method may comprise using a separator device to perform step a)above; determining the respective elution times of said at least oneprecursor ion from said separator device; correlating the targetoperational parameter related to said at least one precursor ion withits respective elution time; separating said precursor ions in step e)above using the, or a, separator device; and controlling the one or moreoperational parameter during step e) above as a function of elution timefrom the separator so that as said at least one precursor ion elutesfrom the separator device the operational parameter is at the respectivetarget value for said at least one precursor ion.

The method may comprise using a separator device to perform step a)above; wherein the step of storing the spectral data comprises storingthe spectral data along with its respective elution time from theseparator.

Storing the spectral data may comprise storing the spectral data for theproduct ions along with their respective precursor ion mass to chargeratio.

The method may be a DDA method.

The method may comprise mass analysing precursor ions to obtainprecursor ion mass spectral data; determining from said precursor ionmass spectral data one or more precursor ions for subsequent analysis;isolating said one or more precursor ions; and fragmenting or reactingsaid one or more isolated precursor ions to produce product ions,wherein steps b) to e) above are performed on the product ions.

The step of isolating may be performed by mass filtering precursor ionsor mass selectively ejecting precursor ions from an ion trap, so thatonly said one or more precursor ions is transmitted for said subsequentanalysis.

The method may comprise using a separator device to perform step a)above; repeatedly alternating between first and second modes as analyteelutes from the separator, wherein in the first mode the precursor ionsare subjected to fragmentation or reaction conditions such that arelatively low proportion or no precursor ions dissociate, and in thesecond mode the precursor ions are subjected to fragmentation orreaction conditions such that a relatively high proportion or allprecursor ions dissociate to form product ions; mass analysing ions inthe first mode; and performing steps b) to d) above on the product ionsproduced in the second mode.

The method may comprise determining the mass to charge ratio and/orelution time of one or more precursor ion of interest from the massspectral data obtained in the first mode; and determining, from the massspectral data obtained in the second mode, the target operationalparameter value for a product ion of each of said one or more precursorion of interest.

The one or more operational parameter may be multiple operationalparameters, and in step b) the values of said multiple operationalparameters may be varied.

The method may comprise repeating steps a) to d) whilst varyingdifferent operational parameters so as to determine target operationalparameter values for the different operational parameters; and settingthe multiple operational parameters to their respective targetoperational parameter values in step e).

The method may comprise filtering or separating ions by mass to chargeratio or ion mobility prior to step b) so as to transmit a restrictedrange of mass to charge ratios or ion mobilities to be mass analysed instep b) at any given time.

The value of the operational parameter may be varied in step b) within arange; wherein this range is varied with time; wherein the restrictedrange of mass to charge ratios or ion mobilities is varied with time,optionally in synchronism with the variation of the range of theoperational parameter.

The mass analysis may be time of flight mass analysis.

As described above, the method may be a DDA method.

Therefore, the present invention also provides a method of massspectrometry comprising:

-   -   (i) mass analysing precursor ions to obtain precursor ion mass        spectral data;    -   (ii) determining from said precursor ion mass spectral data a        precursor ion for subsequent analysis;    -   (iii) isolating said precursor ion;    -   (iv) fragmenting or reacting the isolated precursor ion to        produce product ions, and mass analyzing the product ions during        a plurality of sequential acquisition periods so as to obtain        mass spectral data, wherein the value of one or more operational        parameter of the spectrometer is varied such that it has        different values during the different acquisition periods, and        wherein the spectral data obtained for a given ion varies        depending on the value of said operational parameter;    -   (v) storing the spectral data obtained in each acquisition        period along with its respective value of said one or more        operational parameter used in obtaining the data;    -   (vi) interrogating the stored spectral data and determining        which of the spectral data meets a predetermined criterion, and        determining the value of each of said one or more operational        parameter that provides this mass spectral data as a target        operational parameter value; and then    -   (vii) fragmenting or reacting said precursor ion and mass        analysing the resulting product ions, whilst the value of said        one or more operational parameter is set to the target        operational parameter value.

Prior to step (i) the method may comprise chromatographically separatingcompounds in an analytical sample and ionising the eluting sample toprovide the precursor ions and/or separating the precursor ions, so asto provide temporally separated precursor ions.

Step (ii) may comprise identifying multiple precursor ions of interest.Steps (iii) to (vii) may then be performed on each of the multipleprecursor ions of interest separately.

It is contemplated that the step of providing temporally separatedprecursor ions may be omitted.

As such, the present invention also provides a method of massspectrometry comprising:

-   -   b) mass analyzing precursor ions, and/or product ions derived        therefrom, during a plurality of sequential acquisition periods        so as to obtain mass spectral data, wherein the value of one or        more operational parameter of the spectrometer is varied such        that it has different values during the different acquisition        periods, and wherein the spectral data obtained for a given ion        varies depending on the value of said operational parameter;    -   c) storing the spectral data obtained in each acquisition period        along with its respective value of said one or more operational        parameter used in obtaining the data;    -   d) interrogating the stored spectral data for at least one of        the precursor ions, or the product ions derived therefrom, and        determining which of the spectral data for that precursor ion or        for at least one of its product ions meets a predetermined        criterion, and determining the value of each of said one or more        operational parameter that provides this mass spectral data as a        target operational parameter value; and    -   e) mass analyzing again said at least one of the precursor ions,        or product ions derived therefrom, wherein during this analysis        the value of said one or more operational parameter is set to        its respective target operational parameter value for said at        least one precursor ion, or said at least one of its product        ions.

The present invention also provides a mass spectrometer set up andconfigured to perform any one of the methods described herein.

Accordingly, the present invention also provides a mass spectrometercomprising:

-   -   a mass analyser;    -   a controller for varying one or more operational parameter of        the spectrometer; and    -   a processor set up and configured to:    -   control the mass analyser to mass analyse each of the precursor        ions, and/or product ions derived therefrom, during a plurality        of sequential acquisition periods so as to obtain mass spectral        data;    -   control said controller to vary the one or more operational        parameter of the spectrometer such that it has different values        during the different acquisition periods, wherein the spectral        data obtained for a given ion varies depending on the value of        said operational parameter;    -   store the spectral data obtained in each acquisition period        along with its respective value of said one or more operational        parameter used in obtaining the data;    -   interrogate the stored spectral data for at least one of the        precursor ions, or the product ions derived therefrom, and        determine which of the spectral data for that precursor ion or        for at least one of its product ions meets a preselected or        threshold criterion, and determine the value of each of said one        or more operational parameter that provides this mass spectral        data as a target operational parameter value; and    -   control the spectrometer to mass analyse again said at least one        of the precursor ions, or product ions derived therefrom,        wherein during this analysis the value of said one or more        operational parameter is set to its respective target        operational parameter value for said at least one precursor ion,        or said at least one of its product ions.

The mass analyser may be a time of flight mass analyser.

The spectrometer may comprise a separation device forchromatographically separating compounds and an ion source for ionisingthe eluting sample, and/or a separation device for separating precursorions; wherein the processor is set up and configured to control the massanalyser to mass analyse each of the separated precursor ions, and/orproduct ions derived therefrom, during said plurality of sequentialacquisition periods so as to obtain the mass spectral data.

The spectrometer may comprise a fragmentation or reaction device forfragmenting or reacting said precursor ions to form said product ions.

An embodiment of the present invention comprises a method of recordingMS-MS data at several different collision energies during a datadependent acquisition (DDA) MS-MS analysis using a q-ToF instrument. Ina subsequent post-processing step, the DDA data is interrogated todiscover target precursor and product ions for subsequent targetedquantification. The m/z of the precursors, m/z of the products,collision energies and retention times (RT) are determined from the DDAdata and then used in a subsequent targeted analysis. This ensures thatthe optimum sensitivity is achieved for each target precursor to producttransitions monitored.

The spectrometer disclosed herein may comprise an ion source selectedfrom the group consisting of: (i) an Electrospray ionisation (“ESI”) ionsource; (ii) an Atmospheric Pressure Photo Ionisation (“APPI”) ionsource; (iii) an Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionisation (“APCI”) ionsource; (iv) a Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation (“MALDI”) ionsource; (v) a Laser Desorption Ionisation (“LDI”) ion source; (vi) anAtmospheric Pressure Ionisation (“API”) ion source; (vii) a DesorptionIonisation on Silicon (“DIOS”) ion source; (viii) an Electron Impact(“EI”) ion source; (ix) a Chemical Ionisation (“CI”) ion source; (x) aField Ionisation (“FI”) ion source; (xi) a Field Desorption (“FD”) ionsource; (xii) an Inductively Coupled Plasma (“ICP”) ion source; (xiii) aFast Atom Bombardment (“FAB”) ion source; (xiv) a Liquid Secondary IonMass Spectrometry (“LSIMS”) ion source; (xv) a Desorption ElectrosprayIonisation (“DESI”) ion source; (xvi) a Nickel-63 radioactive ionsource; (xvii) an Atmospheric Pressure Matrix Assisted Laser DesorptionIonisation ion source; (xviii) a Thermospray ion source; (xix) anAtmospheric Sampling Glow Discharge Ionisation (“ASGDI”) ion source;(xx) a Glow Discharge (“GD”) ion source; (xxi) an Impactor ion source;(xxii) a Direct Analysis in Real Time (“DART”) ion source; (xxiii) aLaserspray Ionisation (“LSI”) ion source; (xxiv) a Sonicspray Ionisation(“SSI”) ion source; (xxv) a Matrix Assisted Inlet Ionisation (“MATT”)ion source; (xxvi) a Solvent Assisted Inlet Ionisation (“SAII”) ionsource; (xxvii) a Desorption Electrospray Ionisation (“DESI”) ionsource; (xxviii) a Laser Ablation Electrospray Ionisation (“LAEST”) ionsource; and (xxix) a Surface Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation(“SALDI”) ion source.

The spectrometer may comprise one or more continuous or pulsed ionsources.

The spectrometer may comprise one or more ion guides.

The spectrometer may comprise one or more ion mobility separationdevices and/or one or more Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometerdevices.

The spectrometer may comprise one or more ion traps or one or more iontrapping regions.

The spectrometer may comprise one or more collision, fragmentation orreaction cells selected from the group consisting of: (i) a CollisionalInduced Dissociation (“CID”) fragmentation device; (ii) a SurfaceInduced Dissociation (“SID”) fragmentation device; (iii) an ElectronTransfer Dissociation (“ETD”) fragmentation device; (iv) an ElectronCapture Dissociation (“ECD”) fragmentation device; (v) an ElectronCollision or Impact Dissociation fragmentation device; (vi) a PhotoInduced Dissociation (“PID”) fragmentation device; (vii) a Laser InducedDissociation fragmentation device; (viii) an infrared radiation induceddissociation device; (ix) an ultraviolet radiation induced dissociationdevice; (x) a nozzle-skimmer interface fragmentation device; (xi) anin-source fragmentation device; (xii) an in-source Collision InducedDissociation fragmentation device; (xiii) a thermal or temperaturesource fragmentation device; (xiv) an electric field inducedfragmentation device; (xv) a magnetic field induced fragmentationdevice; (xvi) an enzyme digestion or enzyme degradation fragmentationdevice; (xvii) an ion-ion reaction fragmentation device; (xviii) anion-molecule reaction fragmentation device; (xix) an ion-atom reactionfragmentation device; (xx) an ion-metastable ion reaction fragmentationdevice; (xxi) an ion-metastable molecule reaction fragmentation device;(xxii) an ion-metastable atom reaction fragmentation device; (xxiii) anion-ion reaction device for reacting ions to form adduct or productions; (xxiv) an ion-molecule reaction device for reacting ions to formadduct or product ions; (xxv) an ion-atom reaction device for reactingions to form adduct or product ions; (xxvi) an ion-metastable ionreaction device for reacting ions to form adduct or product ions;(xxvii) an ion-metastable molecule reaction device for reacting ions toform adduct or product ions; (xxviii) an ion-metastable atom reactiondevice for reacting ions to form adduct or product ions; and (xxix) anElectron Ionisation Dissociation (“EID”) fragmentation device.

The ion-molecule reaction device may be configured to perform ozonlysisfor the location of olefinic (double) bonds in lipids.

The spectrometer may comprise a mass analyser selected from the groupconsisting of: (i) a quadrupole mass analyser; (ii) a 2D or linearquadrupole mass analyser; (iii) a Paul or 3D quadrupole mass analyser;(iv) a Penning trap mass analyser; (v) an ion trap mass analyser; (vi) amagnetic sector mass analyser; (vii) Ion Cyclotron Resonance (“ICR”)mass analyser; (viii) a Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance(“FTICR”) mass analyser; (ix) an electrostatic mass analyser arranged togenerate an electrostatic field having a quadro-logarithmic potentialdistribution; (x) a Fourier Transform electrostatic mass analyser; (xi)a Fourier Transform mass analyser; (xii) a Time of Flight mass analyser;(xiii) an orthogonal acceleration Time of Flight mass analyser; and(xiv) a linear acceleration Time of Flight mass analyser.

The spectrometer may comprise one or more energy analysers orelectrostatic energy analysers.

The spectrometer may comprise one or more ion detectors.

The spectrometer may comprise one or more mass filters selected from thegroup consisting of: (i) a quadrupole mass filter; (ii) a 2D or linearquadrupole ion trap; (iii) a Paul or 3D quadrupole ion trap; (iv) aPenning ion trap; (v) an ion trap; (vi) a magnetic sector mass filter;(vii) a Time of Flight mass filter; and (viii) a Wien filter.

The spectrometer may comprise a device or ion gate for pulsing ions;and/or a device for converting a substantially continuous ion beam intoa pulsed ion beam.

The spectrometer may comprise a C-trap and a mass analyser comprising anouter barrel-like electrode and a coaxial inner spindle-like electrodethat form an electrostatic field with a quadro-logarithmic potentialdistribution, wherein in a first mode of operation ions are transmittedto the C-trap and are then injected into the mass analyser and whereinin a second mode of operation ions are transmitted to the C-trap andthen to a collision cell or Electron Transfer Dissociation devicewherein at least some ions are fragmented into fragment ions, andwherein the fragment ions are then transmitted to the C-trap beforebeing injected into the mass analyser.

The spectrometer may comprise a stacked ring ion guide comprising aplurality of electrodes each having an aperture through which ions aretransmitted in use and wherein the spacing of the electrodes increasesalong the length of the ion path, and wherein the apertures in theelectrodes in an upstream section of the ion guide have a first diameterand wherein the apertures in the electrodes in a downstream section ofthe ion guide have a second diameter which is smaller than the firstdiameter, and wherein opposite phases of an AC or RF voltage areapplied, in use, to successive electrodes.

The spectrometer may comprise a device arranged and adapted to supply anAC or RF voltage to the electrodes. The AC or RF voltage optionally hasan amplitude selected from the group consisting of: (i) about <50 V peakto peak; (ii) about 50-100 V peak to peak; (iii) about 100-150 V peak topeak; (iv) about 150-200 V peak to peak; (v) about 200-250 V peak topeak; (vi) about 250-300 V peak to peak; (vii) about 300-350 V peak topeak; (viii) about 350-400 V peak to peak; (ix) about 400-450 V peak topeak; (x) about 450-500 V peak to peak; and (xi) >about 500 V peak topeak.

The AC or RF voltage may have a frequency selected from the groupconsisting of: (i) <about 100 kHz; (ii) about 100-200 kHz; (iii) about200-300 kHz; (iv) about 300-400 kHz; (v) about 400-500 kHz; (vi) about0.5-1.0 MHz; (vii) about 1.0-1.5 MHz; (viii) about 1.5-2.0 MHz; (ix)about 2.0-2.5 MHz; (x) about 2.5-3.0 MHz; (xi) about 3.0-3.5 MHz; (xii)about 3.5-4.0 MHz; (xiii) about 4.0-4.5 MHz; (xiv) about 4.5-5.0 MHz;(xv) about 5.0-5.5 MHz; (xvi) about 5.5-6.0 MHz; (xvii) about 6.0-6.5MHz; (xviii) about 6.5-7.0 MHz; (xix) about 7.0-7.5 MHz; (xx) about7.5-8.0 MHz; (xxi) about 8.0-8.5 MHz; (xxii) about 8.5-9.0 MHz; (xxiii)about 9.0-9.5 MHz; (xxiv) about 9.5-10.0 MHz; and (xxv) >about 10.0 MHz.

The spectrometer may comprise a chromatography or other separationdevice upstream of an ion source. The chromatography separation devicemay comprise a liquid chromatography or gas chromatography device.Alternatively, the separation device may comprise: (i) a CapillaryElectrophoresis (“CE”) separation device; (ii) a CapillaryElectrochromatography (“CEC”) separation device; (iii) a substantiallyrigid ceramic-based multilayer microfluidic substrate (“ceramic tile”)separation device; or (iv) a supercritical fluid chromatographyseparation device.

The ion guide may be maintained at a pressure selected from the groupconsisting of: (i) <about 0.0001 mbar; (ii) about 0.0001-0.001 mbar;(iii) about 0.001-0.01 mbar; (iv) about 0.01-mbar; (v) about 0.1-1 mbar;(vi) about 1-10 mbar; (vii) about 10-100 mbar; (viii) about 100-1000mbar; and (ix) >about 1000 mbar.

Analyte ions may be subjected to Electron Transfer Dissociation (“ETD”)fragmentation in an Electron Transfer Dissociation fragmentation device.Analyte ions may be caused to interact with ETD reagent ions within anion guide or fragmentation device.

A chromatography detector may be provided, wherein the chromatographydetector comprises either: a destructive chromatography detectoroptionally selected from the group consisting of (i) a Flame IonizationDetector (FID); (ii) an aerosol-based detector or Nano Quantity AnalyteDetector (NQAD); (iii) a Flame Photometric Detector (FPD); (iv) anAtomic-Emission Detector (AED); (v) a Nitrogen Phosphorus Detector(NPD); and (vi) an Evaporative Light Scattering Detector (ELSD); or anon-destructive chromatography detector optionally selected from thegroup consisting of: (i) a fixed or variable wavelength UV detector;(ii) a Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD); (iii) a fluorescencedetector; (iv) an Electron Capture Detector (ECD); (v) a conductivitymonitor; (vi) a Photoionization Detector (PID); (vii) a Refractive IndexDetector (RID); (viii) a radio flow detector; and (ix) a chiraldetector.

The spectrometer may be operated in various modes of operation includinga mass spectrometry (“MS”) mode of operation; a tandem mass spectrometry(“MS/MS”) mode of operation; a mode of operation in which parent orprecursor ions are alternatively fragmented or reacted so as to producefragment or product ions, and not fragmented or reacted or fragmented orreacted to a lesser degree; a Multiple Reaction Monitoring (“MRM”) modeof operation; a Data Dependent Analysis (“DDA”) mode of operation; aData Independent Analysis (“DIA”) mode of operation a Quantificationmode of operation or an Ion Mobility Spectrometry (“IMS”) mode ofoperation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, andwith reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows an LC chromatogram of a sample comprising five standards;

FIG. 2 show a mass spectrum including the precursor ion and product ionsfor one of the LC peaks in FIG. 1 ;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show different representations of the mass spectral dataof FIG. 2 , as a function of the collision energy used to fragment theprecursor ion;

FIG. 4 shows a plot of intensity against collision energy for the majorproduct ions in FIGS. 3A-3B;

FIG. 5 shows the result of an MRM analysis using the product ion andcollision energy from FIG. 4 that provides the optimum ion signal;

FIG. 6 shows the result of an MRM analysis corresponding to that of FIG.5 , except wherein the collision energy is scanned; and

FIG. 7 shows a flow chart illustrating an exemplary DDA method accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the invention will now be described in which a sampleis analysed by data dependent acquisition (DDA) MS-MS analysis. A sampleis separated, for example by a liquid chromatography (LC) device, andthen ionised as it elutes so as to form precursor ions. Alternatively,it is contemplated that the sample may be ionised so as to formprecursor ions and then the precursor ions separated according to aphysicochemical property such as ion mobility or mass to charge ratio.It is also contemplated that the sample may be separated, e.g. by an LCdevice, ionised to form precursor ions and then the precursor ionsseparated according to a physicochemical property such as ion mobilityor mass to charge ratio.

The method is first operated in an MS mode in which the precursor ionsare mass analysed. This mass spectral data is then interrogated todetermine one or more target precursor ions for analysis in a subsequentMS-MS mode. Once the one or more target precursor ions is determined,the instrument is switched to an MS-MS mode in which a mass filter (e.g.a quadrupole mass filter) is set so as to mass selectively transmit anarrow range of mass to charge ratios centred on a first of the one ormore target precursor ions, and to filter out other ions. The massfilter transmits the first target precursor ion, which is thentransmitted into a fragmentation or reaction device, such as a collisioncell, so as to fragment or react these ions so that they dissociate toform product ions. The fragmentation or reaction energy or rate that thefirst target precursor ions are subjected to may be varied with time(e.g. continuously scanned or discontinuously stepped). The resultingproduct ions (including any unfragmented precursor ions) are then massanalysed and the mass spectral data recorded as a function of thefragmentation or reaction energy or rate used to generate the ions. Assuch, mass spectra may be obtained for the first target ion for aplurality of different fragmentation or reaction energies or rates (e.g.to produce a nested MS-MS-Collision Energy spectrum). This spectral datamay be recorded as being associated with the first precursor ion.

If more than one target precursor ion has been identified, then the massfilter may then be operated so as to mass selectively transmit a secondof the target precursor ions into the fragmentation or reaction deviceso as to fragment or react these ions so that they dissociate to formproduct ions. As above, the fragmentation or reaction energy or ratethat the second target precursor ions are subjected to may be variedwith time (e.g. continuously scanned or discontinuously stepped). Theresulting ions are then mass analysed and the mass spectral datarecorded as a function of the fragmentation or reaction energy or rateused to generate the ions. As such, mass spectra may be obtained for thesecond target ion for a plurality of different fragmentation or reactionenergies or rates. This spectral data may be recorded as beingassociated with the second precursor ion.

If more than two target precursor ions have been identified, thisprocess may be repeated for each of the further target precursor ions.Once sufficient MS-MS data has been recorded, the system may be switchedback to the MS mode. A Quadrupole Time-of-Flight mass spectrometers(Q-ToF) may be used to perform the method.

The MS-MS data obtained may be interrogated and a list of target m/zvalues may be selected for subsequent targeted quantification(discovery). The targets may be precursor to product MRM transitionsthat correspond to analytes of interest. A candidate list ofprecursor-product ion combinations can be determined in this step. Forexample, in a discovery proteomics application the proteinidentifications determined in this stage may identify peptides that arecharacteristic of the presence of specific proteins. These may bequantified in a subsequent sample by monitoring the relative intensityof the characteristic peptide products and/or precursors in a targetedmultiple reaction monitoring (MRM) analysis.

During the processing of the MS/MS data to determine targets forquantification, the fragmentation or reaction energy or rate used togenerate the product ion data may be ignored (e.g. the nested spectramay be collapsed in the fragmentation or reaction energy or ratedimension for each MS-MS spectrum). Once the list of target m/z valueshas been generated, the nested spectral data may be interrogated todetermine, for each precursor ion, which of its product ions (i.e. whichm/z) has the optimum ion signal and to determine the fragmentation orreaction energy or rate that produces the optimum ion signal for thisproduct ion. This may be used to refine the list of target m/z values,e.g. by excluding transitions that do not include the product ionshaving the optimum ion signal. Alternatively, this process may beperformed when drawing up the initial list of target m/z values, ratherthan ignoring the fragmentation or reaction energy or rate data.

A subsequent chromatographic analysis may then be performed in which theprecursor ions are fragmented or reacted as they elute from theseparation device. The time at which any given precursor ion elutes isknown, and so when a given precursor ion elutes the fragmentation orreaction energy or rate may be selected to produce the optimum production signal for that precursor ion. As such, the fragmentation/reactionenergy or rate may be fixed for any given precursor ion, thus ensuringmaximum sensitivity for the product ion producing the optimum signal.

It may be desired to optimise or enhance the ion signal for multipleproduct ions of a given precursor ion. The nested spectral data may beinterrogated to determine the optimum fragmentation/reaction energies orrates for these multiple product ions. In the subsequent analysis, whenthe precursor ion elutes, the fragmentation/reaction energy or rate maybe varied between these multiple optimum fragmentation/reaction energiesor rates (e.g. by being varied over a narrow range).

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary DDA method according toan embodiment of the present invention. The method includes a step 10 ofchromatographically separating compounds in an analytical sample andionising the eluting sample and/or separating precursor ions, so as toprovide temporally separated precursor ions. The method then comprises astep 12 of mass analyzing precursor ions, and/or product ions derivedtherefrom, during a plurality of sequential acquisition periods so as toobtain mass spectral data, wherein the value of one or more operationalparameter of the spectrometer is varied such that it has differentvalues during the different acquisition periods, and wherein thespectral data obtained for a given ion varies depending on the value ofsaid operational parameter. The method then comprises a step 14 ofstoring the spectral data obtained in each acquisition period along withits respective value of said one or more operational parameter used inobtaining the data. The method then comprises a step 16 of interrogatingthe stored spectral data for at least one of the precursor ions, or theproduct ions derived therefrom, and determining which of the spectraldata for that precursor ion or for at least one of its product ionsmeets a predetermined criterion, and determining the value of each ofsaid one or more operational parameter that provides this mass spectraldata as a target operational parameter value. The method then comprisesa step 18 of mass analyzing again said at least one of the precursorions, or product ions derived therefrom, wherein during this analysisthe value of said one or more operational parameter is set to itsrespective target operational parameter value for said at least oneprecursor ion, or said at least one of its product ions.

The above described method is a DDA technique in which nested mass tocharge ratio and fragmentation/reaction energy or rate data is producedwithin a sample separation (e.g. chromatographic separation). However,this technique may be used during other non-DDA types of acquisitions,wherein the information produced is used to determine the optimuminstrument conditions for a subsequent target analysis. For example, ifa target m/z list is already known, a scheduled MS-MS or MS (single ionrecording SIR) analysis may be performed whilst varying the instrumentconditions, such as scanning the collision energy, and the data producedmay be used to determine optimum conditions for a subsequent experiment.In both these experiments a mass filter may be used to restrict the m/zrange monitored.

Alternatively, full MS data may be acquired with no m/z selection whilstscanning and recording the collision energy.

Alternatively, an MS' mode of operation may be used wherein spectra areacquired in alternating first and second modes as analyte elutes from aseparator (e.g. LC device). In the first mode the fragmentation/reactionenergy or rate is low (and may be fixed) so that substantially noprecursor ions, or a relatively low proportion of precursor ions,dissociate. In the second mode, the fragmentation/reaction energy orrate is varied as described above, so that the ions are dissociated (ora relatively high proportion of precursor ions dissociate) and theresulting spectra recorded as a function of the energy or rate. The dataobtained in the first mode may be used to determine the m/z andretention time (in the separator) of precursor ions of interest. Thedata obtained in the second mode may be used to determine the m/z ofcharacteristic product ions at each retention time and the optimumfragmentation/reaction energy or rate for each product ion. Thisinformation may be used in a subsequent targeted analysis in acorresponding manner to that described above, i.e. wherein as a givenprecursor ion enters the fragmentation or reaction device thefragmentation/reaction energy or rate is set to a value that isoptimised for producing the desired product ion. This mode of operationis a data independent acquisition (DIA) mode of operation.

An example of an embodiment will now be described in which the a samplewas separated by an LC device and then subjected to a DIA mode ofoperation. In this example, the sample was separated by UPLC, ionized byelectrospray ionization in positive ion mode and then analysed using aquadrupole time of flight instrument. The instrument was set to acquiredata in an MS mode with a spectral speed of 4 spe/second over a m/zrange of 50-1200 amu. In the fragmentation mode, the precursor ions wereaccelerated into a collision cell with a collision energy that wasscanned from 10-40 eV during each 0.25 s spectral period. During this0.25 second scan, 200 separate mass spectra were acquired, each spectracontaining data obtained at different collision energies. The total rateof collection of individual mass spectra during this experiment wastherefore 800 spe/second. The sample analysed contained the followingfive reference compounds:

-   -   Sulfaguanidine [M+H]+=215 amu    -   Aqcetaminophen [M+H]+=152 amu    -   ValTyrVal (VYV) [M+H]+=380 amu    -   Leucine Enkephalin [M+H]+=556 amu    -   Sulfadimethoxine [M+H]+=311 amu

FIG. 1 shows the UPLC chromatogram produced. The trace labeled 1 is thetotal ion current recorded during the experiment. Peaks 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6are reconstructed mass chromatograms of m/z 215, 152, 380, 556 and 311respectively. These peaks are the signals from the precursor ions of thefive target reference compounds. The amount of reference material oncolumn for each analyte was: Sulfaguanidine—0.5 ng; Aqcetaminophen—1 ng;ValTyrVal (VYV)—0.25 ng; Leucine Enkephalin—0.25 ng; andSulfadimethoxine—0.1 ng. From this data the retention time for each ofthe five reference compounds was determined.

FIG. 2 shows the mass spectrum for peak 5 in FIG. 1 , corresponding tothe elution of Leucine Enkephalin [M+H]⁺ m/z=556.3 at RT=1.57 min. Thisspectrum shows the relative abundances of the precursor ion (m/z=556.3)and the major product ions averaged over the linear collision energyscan.

FIG. 3A shows a heat map of collision energy against m/z for the data inFIG. 2 . The intensity of the signal is indicated by the brightness ofeach point in the map. FIG. 3B shows the same data as shown in the heatmap of FIG. 3A, except as a three dimensional representation in whichthe height represents the intensity of the signal.

FIG. 4 shows a plot of intensity against collision energy for the majorproduct ions of Leucine Enkephalin at the retention time of 1.57 minfrom FIG. 1 . It can be seen from FIG. 4 that the highest intensitysignal of any product ion is for the product ion having a m/z=397 andoccurs when the collision energy is 23.5 eV. As described above, duringeach collision energy scan from 10-40 eV, 200 separate mass spectra wereacquired in which each spectra contained data obtained at differentcollision energies. The x-axis in FIG. 4 also shows the spectrum numberfrom 0-200.

Plots similar to FIG. 4 were created for the other reference compounds,i.e.

Sulfaguanidine, Aqcetaminophen, ValTyrVal (VYV) and Sulfadimethoxine.The product ion of the highest intensity signal, together with therespective collision energy at which it was obtained, was recorded foreach of these other reference compounds. The results are summarised inthe table below.

MS-MS Collision energy Retention time Analyte Name Transition (eV) (min)Sulfaguanidine 215-156 15.6 0.40 Acetaminophen 152-110 16.0 0.76Val-Tyr-Val 380-136 26.0 1.06 Leucine Enkephalin 556-397 23.5 1.57Sulfadimethoxine 311-156 23.5 1.84The first column indicates the reference compound. The second columnindicates the transition from the precursor m/z to the product m/zhaving the highest intensity signal. The third column indicates thecollision energy at which the ion signal for the product ion in thesecond column was maximum. The fourth column indicates the retentiontime of the reference column in the LC device.

A multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) analysis was then performed usingthe MS-MS transitions and only the collision energies shown in the tableabove, i.e. using the optimum product ion signals. The system was run ina target enhancement mode where the chosen product ion for eachtransition was released to the acceleration region of the orthogonal TOF(pusher) as a series of discreet ion packets. The orthogonalacceleration electrode pulse was synchronized to the release of the ionssuch that the product ions arrived at the pusher region when the pusherpulse was applied. This maximized the duty cycle of the ToF massanalyser for a specific m/z region centered on each product ion,increasing the target ion sensitivity.

FIG. 5 shows the result of the above-described MRM analysis.

The amount of each reference compound injected in this experiment was:Sulfaguanidine—0.5 pg; Aqcetaminophen—1 pg; ValTyrVal (VYV)—0.25 pg;Leucine Enkephalin—0.25 pg; and Sulfadimethoxine—0.1 pg (i.e. thecompounds were 1000 less concentrated than in the method developmentstep described above).

FIG. 6 shows the results of an experiment corresponding to thatdescribed in relation to FIG. 5 , except wherein the collision energywas scanned from 10-40 eV, as opposed to being set to the determinedoptimum value for each product ion.

The table below shows a comparison of the chromatographic peak areas foreach of the targets in FIGS. 5 and 6 .

Area Ramped Area fixed Ratio Analyte Name CE CE (Fixed/Ramp)Sulfaguanidine 94 191 2.0 Acetaminophen 91 204 2.2 Val-Tyr-Val 178 2381.3 Leucine Enkephalin 60 119 2.0 Sulfadimethoxine 127 218 1.7The first column indicates the reference compound. The second columnindicates the chromatographic peak area obtained according to thetechnique described in relation to FIG. 6 , wherein the collision energyis scanned between 10-40 eV. The third column indicates thechromatographic peak area obtained according to the technique describedin relation to FIG. 5 , wherein the optimum collision energy isdetermined and used. The fourth column indicates ratio of area in thethird column to the area in the second column. It can be seen that thetechnique described in relation to FIG. 5 (having the optimumfragmentation energy) provides a greater chromatographic peak area foreach compound than the technique described in relation to FIG. 5 (usingscanned collision energies). It can be seen from the fourth column thatan average absolute sensitivity increase of 1.84 times was obtained byusing the method of FIG. 5 .

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes in form and detail may be made without departingfrom the scope of the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.

For example, in the above described example reference compounds wereavailable and a data independent method was used to collect thecollision energy scanning data. However, this same methodology may beapplied to data dependent acquisitions (DDA) to generateprecursor-product transition data, RT, and optimum collision energyvalues.

Although the data in the example described above was taken usingreference samples in pure solvent, the same methodology may be appliedto reference samples in a matrix.

When optimizing collision energy the optimum value may be selected to bethe value at which the best sensitivity or signal intensity is achieved.However, it is contemplated that the optimum value can be chosen tooptimize something other than sensitivity. For example, the optimumvalue may be chosen to maximise signal to noise ratio, rather thanabsolute intensity.

In the embodiments described above the method is used for optimizationof the collision energy for MS-MS analysis. However, the optimum valuesfor other instrument parameters or conditions may be determined usingthe method described herein, e.g. during a chromatographic separation.

A non-exhaustive list of examples of the parameters that may be variedand optimised are as follows:

-   -   1. The collision energy with which ions are caused to collide        with a gas or surface may be optimised. For example, ions may be        oscillated within a gas by an AC voltage so as to cause them to        fragment and the frequency or amplitude of this voltage may be        optimised.    -   2. The fragmentation energy with which ions are fragmented may        be optimised. For example, if ions are fragmented by being        subjected to electromagnetic radiation or photons, the level of        radiation or photon energy may be optimised.    -   3. Ionisation conditions may be optimised. For example, in        electrospray ionisation the electrospray needle voltage may be        optimised. The value for highest sensitivity is different when        using different solvent compositions and therefore at different        retention times. For electron impact ionisation (ED, the        electron energy may be optimised, as the best sensitivity and        signal to noise ratio is compound specific. In some cases the        electron energy or ionization potential may be chosen/optimised        to discriminate against interference compounds. In        photo-ionisation sources such as APPI sources the photon energy        or flux may be optimised.    -   4. Gas pressure or composition in the instrument may be        optimised. For example, this may be optimised to control ion        mobility separation, e.g. by introduction of dopants, polar or        polarisable gases into the ion mobility separation buffer gas.    -   5. An operational parameter of an ion mobility filter may be        optimised. For example, the compensation voltage used in a        differential ion mobility filter may be optimised.    -   6. One or more settings of electrostatic or RF devices acting to        affect the transmission of ions as they travel through the mass        spectrometer towards the ion detector may be optimised. For        example, for very labile compounds the magnitude of focusing,        accelerating, deflecting or RF confining potentials can result        in undesirable fragmentation at values which are optimal for        other compounds. This is a compound specific effect and may be        explored using the method described.    -   7. Analytical filter resolution setting for optimum signal to        noise ratio vs sensitivity may be optimised. For example, as the        resolution of a quadrupole mass filter is increased the        transmission may decrease. Depending on the nature of any        interference there may be an optimum filter resolution for best        detection limits. This applies to any analytical filter such as,        for example, ion mobility or differential ion mobility filters.    -   8. The resolution of an analytical RF ion trap may be optimised.    -   9. The resolution of an analytical electrostatic ion trap may be        optimised.    -   10. The reaction time during which the ions are exposed to        reactants, e.g. to cause dissociation, may be optimised. Such        processes include, for example, ETD, HDX, ECD, PTR, ion-molecule        or ion-ion interactions. This may be achieved using a flow        through device where the reaction time is adjusted by changing        the driving force urging ions through the device or a trapping        time within the device. Alternatively, such reactions may occur        in the ionization source or even in solution prior to        ionization.        -   11. A transmission or attenuation level of ions may be            optimised.        -   12. The detector or electron multiplier voltage or gain may            be optimised.

It is contemplated herein that the optimum value of more than oneinstrument parameter may be determined within a single chromatographicrun. Data from the instrument under different conditions of more thanone operational parameter may be acquired individually during separatechromatographic runs or effectively simultaneously in the samechromatographic run. In the latter approach two or more functions may beacquired during the experiment. For example, one acquisition period maycontain data from multiple values of parameter A with all otherparameters fixed. The next acquisition period may contain data frommultiple values of parameter B with all other parameters (includingparameter A) fixed. In this way the data may be subsequentlyinterrogated to determine the optimised values of both parameters A andB from a single chromatographic run.

It is contemplated that more than one parameter may be varied within asingle chromatographic run. In some cases two (or more) parameters areinterdependent. For example, different settings of electron energy foran electron impact ionization source may require different electronemission settings (usually controlled by the filament current) foroptimum sensitivity. In this case the method may be extended to discoverthe optimum value of a combination of two parameters. For example, datafrom several emission current values may be recorded at each of severalvalues of electron energy. The resultant data contains a two dimensionalmap of intensity for different electron energies and emission currentsat each retention time point which can be interrogated to determine theoptimum combination of these parameters for each analyte with respect toits chromatographic elution time.

The invention disclosed herein may use a mass or mobility selectiveseparator and/or filter to minimize or restrict the mass or mobility ofions passing downstream at any given time, thus allowing the range ofvariation of an operational parameter of a downstream element to beminimized or restricted. For example, the collision energy required fordissociation of ions has been shown to be strongly correlated to theions mobility. Therefore, if an ion population is ion mobility filteredor separated prior to dissociation by CID the range over which thecollision energy needs to be scanned may be varied as a function of themobility range entering the collision cell. Using a narrow collisionenergy range maximizes the sensitivity during this experiment.

Similarly, for a mixture of singly charged ions (for example in theanalysis of lipids or metabolites), the optimum collision energy iscorrelated to the m/z of the ions. If a population of ions is filteredor separated with respect to m/z the range over which the collisionenergy is scanned or varied may be varied as a function of m/z. Inaddition the m/z of ions eluting from a chromatographic separation isalso often correlated with mass or m/z. Capillary electrophoresis is aliquid phase mobility separation technique and the elution of ions ofdifferent charge state in solution is also correlated to the requiredcollision energy. Therefore, the range over which the collision energyis scanned may be varied with respect to retention time or as a functionof retention time, m/z and ion mobility if several separation techniquesare combined.

In some cases a single optimised value at a given retention time cannotbe determined, for example, where two target ions co-elute and requiredifferent values of the operational parameter. In this case, once theoptimum values have been determined a single value resulting in acompromise between the values required for the co-eluting species may beused. Alternatively, the instrument may be configured to use more thanone optimum value and the proportion of time that each value is used maybe determined using data acquired during the initial analysis.

It is desired in the methods herein that the characteristic separationtimescale (e.g. chromatographic peak width) is more than 3 (5,10 etc.)times the time required for each acquisition period. This ensures thatenough data is produced to characterize the chromatographic peak anddetermine retention time during the initial experiment. State of the artUPLC systems produce chromatographic peaks which are between 1 and 10seconds wide. Therefore, recording multiple mass spectra at differentvalues of operational parameter during each acquisition period requiresan acquisition system capable of recording data at high spectral rateswith high duty cycle. Such acquisition systems have been recentlydeveloped to record nested IMS-MS data sets and are capable of recordingindividual mass spectra at rate exceeding 2000 spectra per second. Onesuch acquisition system has been re-purposed to generate the data in theexample analysis disclosed herein.

The spectrum in FIG. 2 of the example disclosed herein is generated bycollapsing the collision energy dimension data into a single spectrum.This is not a pre-requisite of the method disclosed. Alternatively thedata may be processed as full two dimensional data within each timeperiod using a suitable feature detection algorithm.

Although the invention has been described with reference to anorthogonal acceleration time of flight mass spectrometer, other massanalysers may be used. For example, in a discovery proteomics experimentas described, the target peptides, retention time and precursor toproduct ion transitions and collision energy may be determined using themethod described during a DDA experiment. However, it may be desired toperform subsequent quantification using a tandem quadrupole instrumentrather than an orthogonal time of flight instrument. The optimumcollision energy determined for the time of flight instrument may not beapplicable to the tandem quadruple if, for example, the collision gaspressure or composition is different between the two instruments. Thetarget m/z values and retention times will remain the same between theinstruments. In this case a MRM method may be set up on the tandemquadrupole using the m/z and retention time information previouslydetermined however the collision energy may be scanned. The intensitydata for the precursor to product ion transition monitored may berecorded during each acquisition period or dwell time. This onedimensional, intensity vs collision energy plot recorded for each dwelltime during the chromatographic experiment may then be interrogated todetermine the preferred value of collision energy for each transitionwhich can be used in subsequent analysis.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method of mass spectrometry comprising: a)chromatographically separating compounds in an analytical sample andionising the eluting sample and/or separating precursor ions, so as toprovide temporally separated precursor ions; b) subjecting precursorions to fragmentation or reaction conditions so that the precursor ionsdissociate to form product ions; c) mass analyzing the product ions witha time of flight mass analyser during a plurality of sequentialacquisition periods so as to obtain mass spectral data, wherein thevalue of one or more operational parameter of the spectrometer is variedsuch that it has different values during the different acquisitionperiods, wherein said one or more operational parameter comprises thefragmentation or reaction energy or rate with which the precursor ionsare fragmented or reacted to produce the product ions, and wherein thefragmentation or reaction energy or rate is scanned; d) storing thespectral data obtained in each acquisition period along with itsrespective value of said one or more operational parameter used inobtaining the mass spectral data; e) interrogating the stored massspectral data and determining which of the mass spectral data for atleast one product ion meets a predetermined criterion, and determiningthe value of each of said one or more operational parameter thatprovides this mass spectral data as a target operational parametervalue; and f) subjecting precursor ions to fragmentation or reactionconditions again so that the precursor ions dissociate to form productions and mass analyzing again the product ions, wherein during thisanalysis the value of said one or more operational parameter is set tosaid target operational parameter value.
 22. The method of claim 21,wherein the mass spectral data considered to meet said predeterminedcriterion is the mass spectral data for the at least one product ionthat has the greatest intensity or signal to noise ratio.
 23. The methodof claim 21, wherein the step of chromatographically separating thecompounds comprises separating the sample by liquid chromatography; orwherein the step of separating precursor ions comprises separating theprecursor ions by ion mobility or mass to charge ratio.
 24. The methodof claim 21, wherein step e) comprises interrogating the mass spectraldata for a plurality of product ions of a precursor ion, determiningwhich of the product ions has mass spectral data meeting thepredetermined criterion, and determining the value of each of said oneor more operational parameter that provides said this mass spectral dataas said target value.
 25. The method of claim 21, comprising using aseparator device to perform step a); determining the respective elutiontimes of said at least one precursor ion from said separator device;correlating the target operational parameter related to said at leastone precursor ion with its respective elution time; separating saidprecursor ions in step f) using the, or a, separator device; andcontrolling the one or more operational parameter during step f) as afunction of elution time from the separator device so that as said atleast one precursor ion elutes from the separator device the operationalparameter is at the respective target value for said at least oneprecursor ion.
 26. The method of claim 21, comprising using a separatordevice to perform step a); wherein the step of storing the mass spectraldata comprises storing the mass spectral data along with its respectiveelution time from the separator device.
 27. The method of claim 21,wherein storing the mass spectral data comprises storing the massspectral data for the product ions along with their respective precursorion mass to charge ratio.
 28. The method of claim 21, comprisingrepeating steps a) to e) whilst varying different operational parametersso as to determine target operational parameter values for the differentoperational parameters; and setting the multiple operational parametersto their respective target operational parameter values in step f). 29.The method of claim 21, comprising filtering or separating ions by massto charge ratio or ion mobility prior to step c) so as to transmit arestricted range of mass to charge ratios or ion mobilities to be massanalysed in step c) at any given time.
 30. The method of claim 29,wherein the value of the operational parameter is varied in step c)within a range; wherein this range is varied with time; wherein saidrestricted range of mass to charge ratios or ion mobilities is variedwith time.
 31. A method of mass spectrometry comprising: subjectingprecursor ions to fragmentation or reaction conditions so that theprecursor ions dissociate to form product ions; mass analyzing theproduct ions with a time of flight mass analyser during a plurality ofsequential acquisition periods so as to obtain mass spectral data,wherein the value of one or more operational parameter of thespectrometer is varied such that it has different values during thedifferent acquisition periods, wherein said one or more operationalparameter comprises the fragmentation or reaction energy or rate withwhich the precursor ions are fragmented or reacted to produce theproduct ions, and wherein the fragmentation or reaction energy or rateis scanned; storing the mass spectral data obtained in each acquisitionperiod along with its respective value of said one or more operationalparameter used in obtaining the mass spectral data; interrogating thestored mass spectral data and determining which of the mass spectraldata for at least one product ion meets a predetermined criterion, anddetermining the value of each of said one or more operational parameterthat provides this mass spectral data as a target operational parametervalue; and subjecting precursor ions to fragmentation or reactionconditions again so that the precursor ions dissociate to form productions and mass analyzing again the product ions, wherein during thisanalysis the value of said one or more operational parameter is set tosaid target operational parameter value.
 32. A mass spectrometerconfigured to perform the method of claim 21.